WCT finals 1975: Laver vs Borg

[gzhpcu]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZUDv15wfZw

What I find strange is how Laver's non-dominant arm just seems to dangle down...

[stotty]

Unit turn

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZUDv15wfZw

What I find strange is how Laver's non-dominant arm just seems to dangle down...

Excatly what I pointed out some time ago when I posted a Laver clip. You would think that would play havoc with the unit turn?

[klacr]

Excatly what I pointed out some time ago when I posted a Laver clip. You would think that would play havoc with the unit turn?

Players of immense talent have the uncanny knack for balancing the mastery of fundamentals with exceptions to the general principles and rules

Kyle LaCroix USPTA
Boca Raton

[don_budge]

The Age of Wooden Tennis Racquets

Players of immense talent have the uncanny knack for balancing the mastery of fundamentals with exceptions to the general principles and rules

Kyle LaCroix USPTA
Boca Raton

Every tennis player has his idiosyncrasies...particularly in the age of Classic Tennis when style was at a premium. But the story in this match is two fold.

Number one...the age difference. Rod Laver is 36 years old and nearly finished as a competitive tennis player. He retired shortly after this match. Björn Borg is 18 years old...half The Rocket's age and beginning his climb to the summit.

Number two...look at the frequency of the trips to the net of Björn Borg. He is putting so much pressure on Laver that it looks to me as if he is going to the net more frequently than Rod. This net play from the icon of baseline play. His reputation was as a baseline player but if you watch any of his matches he is always looking for the opportunity to get to the net.

The handshake after the match was telling...how tough and cruel is competitive tennis. The great champion vanquished by the new prince. Just a quick shake...no sign of remorse that he has slain the once mighty King. Just a young and hungry shark...eating his way up the food chain. Such is life.

But then again...they were "only" playing with wooden tennis racquets.

[worldsbesttenniscoach]

Here is the reason for Laver's "dangling" non-racket arm:

As a lefty, Laver wanted to build up his left arm to a tremendously high level of strength. He would constantly be squeezing an old tennis ball with his left hand. You can see the result is his amazingly strong left arm.

With such a strong left arm, & by using a continental grip for all shots, Laver did not have to use his right arm to control the racket or to help change grips. Therefore, his arm spend relatively more time dangling, with less time on the neck or throat of the racket.

I like players who use the non-dominant arm to help control the racket & the angle of the strings............& even players as great as Laver as not perfect......but I am not about to be too critical right now of the great Laver.